THE PRESIDENT: Good afternoon, and thank you all for coming.
Welcome to the White House and welcome to this historic moment. As of
today, the law creating the United States Department of Homeland
Security comes into effect. And now this Department has its first
Secretary, Thomas Joseph Ridge.

Homeland Security becomes the 15th executive department of my
Cabinet. It begins a vital mission in the defense of our country.
We've learned that vast oceans no longer protect us from the dangers of
a new era. This government has a responsibility to confront the threat
of terror wherever it is found.

And that is why we're taking the battle to America's enemies,
disrupting their networks, we're destroying their camps, we've got them
on the run and we're going to keep them on the run.

And at home we are taking every measure to protect the American
people against a serious and ongoing threat. The Department of
Homeland Security will lead a comprehensive and unified effort to
defend this nation. The Department will analyze threats; guard our
borders and airports; safeguard critical infrastructure and coordinate
the response of our nation to future emergencies.

Under the leadership of Tom Ridge, more than 170,000 dedicated
Americans, dedicated professionals, will have the overriding mission of
protecting their fellow Americans.

In October of 2001, when I established the office -- the White
House Office of Homeland Security -- I knew immediately that Tom was
the right man for the assignment. He's a decisive, clear-thinking
executive who knows how to solve problems. He's a person of integrity
and a person of good judgment. At the White House he has done an
outstanding job and he's earned the gratitude of the American people.

This week he earned an unanimous vote of confirmation. And I want
to thank the United States Senate for its swift action. This new
Department will face many challenges in the year to come. The American
people can be certain that the mission of homeland security will be
carried out with focus and resolve, with the resources the task
requires. And the American people can know, as well, that the
Department is under the command of a superb leader who has my
confidence.

Congratulations, Tom, and thank you for serving our country.
(Applause.)